Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Nathan D Ampunan

Christopher L Oesterling

Carl J Hering

Krishnaraj Inbarajan

Yilu Zhang

Douglas C Martin

Mark J Rychlinski

Thomas A Gawlik

John J Correia

Jesse T Gratke

Bassam S Shahmurad

Dennis L Zoeckler

Dennis F Regmont

Gary M Buch

Jaycee Murlidar

Mutasim Abdurrahman Salman

John P Weiss

Lawrence P Ziehr

Mark N Howell

Steven J Ross

Mark D Nemesh

Xiaodong Zhang

Todd M Tumas

Daniel C McGarry

Mark R Willey

Jason W Clark

Jeffrey G Ravas

Michael G Zambo

Christopher Thomas Thibodeau

Ryan J Wasson

Sachin Raviram

Brad W Wisniewski

Haiping Song

Brent W Fetherolf

Craig A Brown

Douglas H Devries

Richard H Lieblein

Mark E Gilbert

Paul W Loewer

Shirley B Dost

A method and system are provided for generating prognostic information regarding a component in a vehicle. The method includes receiving a first set of data for one or more parameters corresponding to the component. The first set of data is obtained from a degradation signal wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle at a first predetermined frequency. The method further includes executing, at a second predetermined frequency, a set of executable instructions for assessing a condition of the component in response to the first set of data. The method further includes obtaining a second set of data indicative of repair or replacement of the component and adjusting at least one of the first predetermined frequency and the second predetermined frequency responsive to the second set of data.

Method and system for generating prognostic information regarding a component in a vehicle

A method and system for providing call center emergency services to one or more occupants of a vehicle having a plurality of listening zones within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The method involves detecting a potential emergency condition, sending an emergency notification to a call center, receiving a listening zone control signal identifying at least one of a plurality of listening zones in the vehicle, and supplying audio received from the identified listening zones(s) to the call center via a voice call between the vehicle and call center.

Call center based zoned microphone control in a vehicle

A method for arbitrating between vehicle navigation systems in the event that multiple systems are concurrently activated so that information is provided to a user by only one navigation system at a time. This method of arbitration reduces the possibility of user confusion that could otherwise occur if multiple vehicle navigation systems were simultaneously providing the user with information. According to one embodiment, the arbitration method is used in conjunction with a telematics-based system and a CD-based system that both provide turn-by-turn spoken driving directions. The method can also be used to arbitrate between any vehicle-based sources of electronically-supplied audio speech, particularly where the systems are connected to a common vehicle network that allows software control of the different vehicle systems.

Method for arbitrating between multiple vehicle navigation systems

A method of communicating with a vehicle is provided. The method includes: initiating a communication with a vehicle activation application of a vehicle using a personal handheld device; authenticating, using a processor, the personal handheld device based on the communication; and selectively activating one or more components of a vehicle network based on the authenticating.

Vehicle systems activation methods and applications

Speech recognition in a vehicle through an extrinsic device includes detecting, via the vehicle, a presence of a mobile communications device that is configured with a speech recognition component. A vehicle processor encodes data lists stored in the vehicle and transmits the data lists and a vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device. In response to receiving a request to initiate a voice recognition session, the vehicle transmits the request and the vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device that causes activation of the speech recognition component. The mobile communications device retrieves the data lists via the identifier. In response to a voice command received by the speech recognition component, the speech recognition component interprets the voice command, determines an action by evaluating the voice command in view of the data lists, and transmits an instruction to the vehicle processor directing the vehicle to implement the action.

Speech recognition functionality in a vehicle through an extrinsic device

A system for and method of speech processing for a vehicle. Speech is received from at least one vehicle occupant via a plurality of microphones corresponding to the plurality of zones in the vehicle, wherein the microphones convert the speech into speech signals. At least one active communication zone is determined in which the at least one vehicle occupant corresponding to the active communication zone is speaking Speech processing is modified in response to the determined active communication zone.

Speech processing responsive to a determined active communication zone in a vehicle

A method of sending traffic related data to a call center using a telematics unit of a vehicle. The method includes receiving a request at the telematics unit to transmit non-traffic data such as vehicle diagnostic information to the call center. Both the non-traffic data as well as traffic related data is obtained by the telematics unit and embedded into a short message service (SMS) message that is then sent to the call center. The traffic related data can be inserted only if it indicates a traffic problem and can be inserted into an otherwise unused portion of the SMS message. The received traffic related data can then be used by the call center or other remote facility to improve traffic reporting.

Traffic data transmission from a vehicle telematics unit

A method for detecting an unauthorized programming or installation of software on an electronic module on a vehicle. The method obtains information regarding programming of the electronic module. The information may be obtained by detecting a programming session of the electronic module or after the module has been programmed. The obtained information is compared with information identifying whether programming of the electronic module is authorized or unauthorized. A determination whether the programming is authorized or unauthorized is made based on the comparison.

Electronic module update detection

A system and method for telemetrically collecting on-road vehicle diagnostic data. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting vehicle diagnostic data from service shops, on-road vehicles and warranty records, aggregating the collected data and extracting knowledge therefrom. The extracted knowledge can be used to enhance algorithms on-board vehicles or at service centers so as to better identify vehicle faults and provide enhanced diagnostics and prognostics. The enhanced algorithms can then be used to provide predictive maintenance suggestions, provide trouble shooting assistance or provide vehicle design improvements.

Telematics-enabled aggregated vehicle diagnosis and prognosis

A method for obtaining an electronic Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from a vehicle. According to one embodiment, an electronic VIN request is generated at the vehicle through a vehicle user interface, such as a visual display, a microphone, a speaker, a keypad, or an electronic control or button. According to another embodiment, the electronic VIN request is generated at an entity, such as a remote call center, that is remotely located from the vehicle. In either case, the electronic VIN request causes the vehicle hardware to query one or more vehicle electronic module(s) for electronic VIN(s) stored therein, so that output related to the electronic VIN(s) can be provided.

Method for obtaining electronic vehicle identification number (VIN)

A method and system for configuring trigger parameters for captured test fleet vehicle data collection. The method includes selecting at least one vehicle identifier from a captured test fleet database, associating at least one trigger condition with the at least one selected vehicle identifier in the database, associating at least one vehicle parameter to be collected at an occurrence of the at least one associated trigger condition with the selected vehicle identifier in the database, and sending the at least one associated trigger condition and the at least one associated vehicle parameter from the database to a telematics unit of at least one test vehicle associated with the vehicle identifier via a wireless connection.

Web-enabled configurable quality data collection tool

In examples of the invention, a vehicle diagnostics update mechanism provides a frequent connection to a vehicle telematics unit. In this way, large amounts of vehicle data that are available when the vehicle is on or cached, i.e., when the vehicle is off, can be pulled and used to provide a vehicle update to the user. In one example, a 'vehicle dashboard' application running on a vehicle owner's computer in the form of a tool bar provides diagnostics updates in a quick and easy to use format. The tool bar also provides a means for executing user selections and commands and for providing alerts to the user.

Vehicle diagnostic interface mechanism

A method for establishing communication with a mobile vehicle includes determining whether the mobile vehicle is within a predetermined geographic region and initiating a time trigger based on the determination. The method further includes initiating communication between the mobile vehicle and a central node via a wireless connection based on the time trigger.

Method and system for geographic boundary time triggering of communication with a mobile vehicle

A method of managing communications for an in-vehicle telematics system includes substantially simultaneously receiving requests for communicating first and second audio signals via a vehicle audio system. The signals respectively correspond to interactive voice services (provided via a menu dialogue) from a first in-vehicle system and to a first audio messaging from a second in-vehicle system. An arbitration control selects one of the signals as a priority output and the other as a subordinate output. The priority output is provided over the audio system. A queue manager maintains the subordinate output in a queue for outputting over the audio system after priority output completion. If the first signal is the subordinate output, then the queue manager maintains a state of the menu dialogue, as of a time the priority output is selected, for continuation of the menu dialogue from the maintained state after priority output completion.

Methods of managing communications for an in-vehicle telematics system

A method for informing an in-vehicle telematics unit user of a connection status generally includes establishing a connection between the telematics unit and a call center, and initiating communication between the user and a call center service advisor. Next, the communication may be temporarily suspended while maintaining the connection. A connection status signal informing the user of the status of the connection is transmitted from the call center to the telematics unit during the temporary suspension in communication. After the signal is transmitted, the communication between the user and the call center service advisor is ultimately restored.

Growing community of inventors

Novi, MI, United States of America

Nathan D Ampunan